Euro champion Marco van Basten of the Netherlands didn't include French PSG and Argentine national team forward Lionel Messi in the top three players in football history.
Pele, Maradona and Cruyff are the three best players in the history of football. You can't forget about Cristiano Ronaldo, Platini or Zidane. Messi is also a great player, but Maradona had more influence in the team. Messi isn't someone who will throw himself on the line.
Marco van Basten, quoted by France Football
Messi became world champion in 2022. At the World Cup in Qatar, Argentina beat France in the final (3-3, penalty - 4-2). The 35-year-old forward scored seven goals during the tournament, including two in the final. Messi was named best player in the deciding game and the entire World Cup.